What One Hand Giveth The Other Taketh Away

Having announced his intention to "crack down" on the alleged compensation culture in whiplash claims before delivering his Autumn Statement the Chancellor, somewhat ironically, increased Insurance Premium Tax (IPT) from 10% to 12% thus increasing, at a stroke, the cost of home and motor insurance premiums and exposing the hypocrisy at the heart of the supposed PI Reforms.

In all the arguments put forward by the Government to reform whiplash claims the main one is allegedly to reduce the cost of motor insurance. However since the personal injury reforms first began in 2013 IPT has risen from 6% to 12%, a 100% increase in three years. Whatever reduction in insurance premiums may have been likely have now almost certainly been cancelled out by the doubling of IPT.

Whilst not wanting to appear cynical it would seem that any further reforms, rather than reducing the cost of motor insurance, would simply give the government the opportunity to increase IPT.

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